When to come off medication to stop withdrawal symptoms?

[kazine]

Okay I take a very very low dose of psychiatric medication and my psychiatrist is forcing me to come off it NOW to prevent withdrawal symptoms. The medication hasn't been found in any studies to cause harm.

I want to put in a serious complaint that my medication has been withdrawn without discussion. I have been on it for nearly 3 years and was told before I got pregnant if I came off one of my two medications I could stay on the other. I did so. Now she's forcing me to come off that one too.

I was hoping to start weaning off after 30 weeks. I don't think I can bear being pregnant, emotionally unstable and suicidal.

How long, reasonably, do you think I should start to come off my medication to prevent withdrawal symptoms in the baby?

 

[newlywed2013]

I am on zoloft for anxiety and my doctor has mentioned weaning off of it, but I dont think its until at least 20 weeks, but it probably depends on the medication. I would talk to your OB or midwife as well to see what she thinks. They probably know more about how medications affect the baby..

 

[Pixiedust22]

A psychiatrist tried to pull a similar stunt of taking me off ALL my medication cold turkey. I refused and went to a different one who was more reasonable and is slowly weaning me off one of them. When the first psychiatrist did that, I talked to the bosses there who assured me that they cannot force you to come off your medication. Maybe try to get a second opinion?

 

[kazine]

Apparently they can force me :/. Luckily for me I have lots of it stashed up if I do want to continue until I decided to stop but I was hoping that when I did stop I would have support to find something new that I could breastfeed whilst taking, guess no support there then

 

[Pixiedust22]

Can you request to see someone else? You should always be able to get a second opinion.

 

[kazine]

Yeah probably. I'll ring up and get a GP telephone consultation tomorrow. It just might take ages and they're reducing my dose as of now :/ so it's a case of start reducing, or go against their advice and continue taking regular dose for now.

I'm currently taking 50mg :/ The smallest dose is 25mg! I used to be on 600mg! So my dose is absolutely tiny. They're kicking off over nothing really :/.

 

[Jinga]

17 weeks seems way too early to wean off your meds! I can't remember exactly when my OBGYN said I'll be weaning off mine (Lexapro), but it was after 30 weeks. She also said I could go right back on them after the baby was born to help with post-partum issues and that it was fine to use while breastfeeding.

I hope you can find someone who will listen to you.

 

[tropicsgirl]

They should NOT be forcing you...

I'm taking celexa (only 10 mg though...) and I'm not off of it. It's helps with anxiety SO much and my OCD. If you want to wean off of it, I would think 2nd trimester is the best time since you usually feel better. But maybe try to get a 2nd opinion because that decision should be up to you.

 

[BabyHopes1974]

I would urge you to get a new doctor who has a different philosophy. I was in a different predicament and tried going off twice just to get pregnant but I nearly had a breakdown. I found one that agrees it's important to stay on for the whole pregnancy.

I hope you can find someone else who understands how important it is to stay on.